Simbu Wins Historic Gold in Dramatic World Marathon

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Photo:AFP

In one of the most dramatic moments in marathon history, Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania won his country’s first-ever gold medal at a world championship marathon after a heart-stopping photo finish. The 42.195 km race in Tokyo ended with Simbu edging out German runner Amanal Petros by just three hundredths of a second (0.03 seconds) – the narrowest winning margin ever seen in a global marathon.

The official clock recorded both runners finishing in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds (2:09:48). However, after a detailed photo check, Simbu was declared the winner as he surged ahead at the last possible moment while Petros made a desperate dive at the finish line. Italian runner Iliass Aouani secured the bronze medal with a strong run of 2:09:53.

The Race of a Lifetime

The marathon began in the early morning with plenty of drama. Kenyan runner Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich jumped the start, forcing officials to restart the race — a scene more common in sprinting than long-distance running.

As the marathon progressed, several of the top favorites, including Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Deresa Geleta, who had dominated earlier races this year, dropped out with less than 10 kilometers left. This opened up the race and left a tight battle among the leading pack.

For more than 90 minutes, nearly two dozen athletes stayed close together. Slowly, as the heat took its toll, the pack began to thin. With just a few kilometers remaining, only three men — Simbu, Petros, and Aouani — remained at the front, fighting for medals.

The Thrilling Finish

When the runners entered Tokyo’s National Stadium for the final stretch, it looked as if Amanal Petros, born in Eritrea but representing Germany, would take the gold medal back to Europe. However, Simbu dug deep and produced an extraordinary final sprint.

In the last few meters, Simbu leaned forward, pushing his body past the line at the exact same moment Petros dived forward. The race officials immediately called for a photo finish review, and within minutes, the results flashed on the big screen:

* Gold: Alphonce Felix Simbu (Tanzania) – 2:09:48

* Silver: Amanal Petros (Germany) – 2:09:48

* Bronze: Iliass Aouani (Italy) – 2:09:53

The crowd erupted as Tanzania celebrated its first-ever world championship gold in athletics.

Emotional Reaction from Simbu

Simbu, 33 years old, could hardly believe what he had achieved.

“When we entered the stadium, I wasn’t sure if I would win. I didn’t even know if I had crossed first,” he admitted. “But when I saw the video screen showing my name on top, I felt relieved. Today I made history — this is the first gold medal for Tanzania at the world championships.”

For Simbu, this victory was especially sweet. He had previously won a bronze medal in London 2017 and came close earlier this year when he finished second at the Boston Marathon. This time, he finally reached the top of the podium.

Record-Breaking Finish

The margin of victory — 0.03 seconds — makes this marathon the closest ever at a global championship. Previously, the narrowest gap came at the 2001 Edmonton World Championships, where Ethiopian Gezahegne Abera beat Kenya’s Simon Biwott by a single second.

In Olympic history, the closest marathon came at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where South Africa’s Josia Thugwane beat South Korea’s Lee Bong-ju by just three seconds. Simbu’s finish has now rewritten the record books for tightest winning margin.

Petros Accepts the Silver

For Petros, who gave everything in the final sprint, the defeat was heartbreaking.

“It’s like the 100 meters,” Petros said after the race. “I thought I was going to win, so part of me feels very sad. But this is sport — you win some, you lose some. I have to learn from this, train harder, and come back stronger. I’m thankful for the silver medal.”

Despite his disappointment, Petros earned Germany its first men’s world marathon medal and showed incredible determination in the closing moments.

A Victory for East African Running

Simbu’s win was also seen as a comeback for East African distance running. Just a day earlier, French runner Jimmy Gressier made history by becoming the first non-East African-born athlete in over 40 years to win the 10,000 meters at a world championship.

Simbu’s triumph reminded the athletics world of East Africa’s deep tradition in long-distance running. His victory was not just personal but also symbolic for a region that has produced some of the greatest runners in history.

The Future of Simbu and Tanzanian Athletics

Simbu’s historic win is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes in Tanzania, a nation where long-distance running has always been respected but rarely brought global titles. His gold medal could bring fresh investment, more training programs, and greater international recognition for Tanzanian athletics.

For Simbu himself, the journey continues. At 33, he has shown he still has the strength, speed, and mental toughness to compete at the highest level. Many fans are already looking ahead to see if he can carry this form into the next Olympic Games.

Alphonce Felix Simbu marathon gold